Norway v Republic of Ireland - pre-match

**tetsujin1979** · 14/08/2008, 1:06 AM

Originally Posted by finnpark

He scored 13 last season and a good few of those were penalties.

15 goals in the Premiership, 3 were penalties

Originally Posted by finnpark

In fact he was so bad that he was dropped by Ramos.

Ramos took over Spurs on 27th October 2007, Robbie started all but 8 of the games between then and the end of the season. 3 of those 8 were a suspension after being sent against Liverpool. In every other game, he was introduced from the bench. How exactly is this being "dropped"?

Originally Posted by finnpark

The stats show that when Robbie Keane plays for Spurs their average performance drops ie they win less games with Robbie playing than without him. (and thats saying a lot). Its the same for ireland I presume.

What stats?

Originally Posted by finnpark

If you watch Robbie play you can see that hes poor. He may score against Sunderland as he has a good record against Sunderland but don't bank on it.

How about 2 goals against Liverpool last season? Or one against Chelsea? Or one against Man United? What do they prove?

Originally Posted by finnpark

As bad as he is Darly Murphy is Ireland's best striker

Really? On what grounds?

**mypost** · 14/08/2008, 4:49 AM

Originally Posted by finnpark

Robbie Keane is going to get found out this year. If he gets 20 premiership goals then I will give every foot.ie member €50

Robbie Keane has a proven record with club and country. If he can score 13 goals in half-decent teams, and 30+ with Ireland, god only knows how many he'll score with a good league side that scores 100+ goals a year.

5k members x €50 = €250k in May. Banco.

**Razors left peg** · 14/08/2008, 6:38 AM

Originally Posted by finnpark

He scored 13 last season and a good few of those were penalties.

In fact he was so bad that he was dropped by Ramo.

The stats show that when Robbie Keane plays for Spurs their average performance drops ie they win less games with Robbie playing than without him. (and thats saying a lot). Its the same for ireland I presume.

If you watch Robbie play you can see that hes poor. He may score against Sunderland as he has a good record against Sunderland but don't bank on it.

As bad as he is Darly Murphy is Ireland's best striker

this has to be a wind up

**shakermaker1982** · 14/08/2008, 6:55 AM

Keane looked like he was playing for Staunton last night!!!

**Wexford Delboy** · 14/08/2008, 11:23 AM

bit surprised that stokes didnt make the full or he u 21 squad hes been playing decent enuf stuff in pre season

**Stuttgart88** · 14/08/2008, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

20 Premiership goals would be an unbelievable return for him I think so your money is safe but that does not mean he will not be a success.

Exactly. Can anyone see the headline "18 goal and multiple assist Keane flops at Anfield"?

**geysir** · 14/08/2008, 12:45 PM

Does nobody remember anything round here?
Finnpark trolls the Ireland forum.
Ignore him.

**Diarmo** · 15/08/2008, 1:52 AM

Originally Posted by Wexford Delboy

bit surprised that stokes didnt make the full or he u 21 squad hes been playing decent enuf stuff in pre season

I think they're trying out new players since the last crop went overage. I'd expect Stokes, O'Toole etc. to be back in for the next squad.

**Sligo Hornet** · 15/08/2008, 6:45 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Wrong spelling of the word right... thats lazy,unaceptable and shows a lack of respect for the members of this forum.... Kingdom hoop must go

You are totally right Razor!!

**Razors left peg** · 15/08/2008, 6:53 AM

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

You are totally right Razor!!

hahaha.....my resignation has been handed in

**Oink** · 15/08/2008, 8:13 AM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Yeah, but none of them are natural right wingers. S. Reid and Miller are terrible on the wing.

My point is that depending on circumstances in the game a change of approach could be needed. Duff on the right would be cutting in a lot but this might not work against a team who crowds their defence in the middle, perhaps by playing two midfielders who sit back. The other alternatives you have given wouldn't change our tactics. McGeady could do a decent job going on the outside but he is our biggest attacking threat so put him in his best position.

I don't think there's any need to see if Lawrence proves himself at the highest level- a number of the teams we will be playing in qualfying would be Championship standard.

Left wing is far and away his best position, I can't believe there could be a dispute over this.

See above for my explanation.

From watching the Brazil and Serbia games I think Traps is looking to let McGeady and Duff swap wings through the game.... the same way Duff and Robben used to for Chelsea.

**NeilMcD** · 17/08/2008, 6:24 PM

http://www.tribune.ie/sport/soccer/a...ith-formation/

**shakermaker1982** · 17/08/2008, 6:35 PM

If we do start with 4-5-1 then Whelan has to get the nod. Miller has had a lot of chances over the years in trying to cement a place and he disappoints every time.

**Razors left peg** · 17/08/2008, 7:10 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

http://www.tribune.ie/sport/soccer/a...ith-formation/

Its fantastic that we have a manager that already has a clear plan of how he wants us to play, its such a difference to the last number of years

**Manc Irish Wolf** · 17/08/2008, 9:11 PM

Looks like Joey O'Brien had a good game in his more familiar centre midfield role yesterday, setting up a goal as well. Having finally got a good pre-season behind him, he could be the defensive midfielder we need to sit with Reid at the middle of the 4-5-1.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 18/08/2008, 6:50 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

http://www.tribune.ie/sport/soccer/a...ith-formation/

That sounds very good as we will have a solid midfield without losing our attacking threat. I would have prefered to see Carsley partner S Reid though as it would allow him a bit more freedom than playing alongside Whelan/Miller as neither of them have enough steel to play as the break up attacks. Also, Razor makes a very good point about preparation and having a plan which, although pretty much a basic requirement of management, seems like a luxury after Stan.

**geysir** · 18/08/2008, 8:34 AM

I might have missed the reason somewhere but why is Carsley not in the squad?

Will be back for the big games? Will just be back up?

**NeilMcD** · 18/08/2008, 9:18 AM

Didn't Carsley say before tht he did not want to travel away for friendly games if he was not playing. Am I right in saying that he did not go to Denmark last year but he did play in Slovakia and in the Czech Rep.

**NeilMcD** · 18/08/2008, 9:23 AM

http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer...er-qqqa=sport-

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...868020595.html

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...s-1457726.html

**stiofain** · 18/08/2008, 9:37 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Didn't Carsley say before tht he did not want to travel away for friendly games if he was not playing. Am I right in saying that he did not go to Denmark last year but he did play in Slovakia and in the Czech Rep.

Yep, your correct. I'm actuctally pretty sure this was part of the conditions of his return to international football. He has a young family so i understand where he's coming from, even if it isnt ideal for Ireland.